Riders and Their 6th Sense

If you are a rider reading this, you will know what I mean.

You are riding or driving along, and you know that car Infront of you is going to change lanes. There is no indicator and no sign they will do it, you just know they will do it. You are cautious because you don't want your front end taken out, and lucky you were because there it is, they changed. They changed with no blinker and no warning. 

This is a very small example of the daily intuitions us riders have every time we hit the road. Are we Superman? I'd like to think so, but unfortunately it just comes down to experience, pattern recognition, and focus.

Our ‘Sixth Sense’ gets more in tune the more you ride, and our supernatural power will stay with us. 

How We Get a Sixth Sense

As learners, when we first start riding, we are so focused on not falling off. The basics of balance, braking, cornering, throttle control and gear changing is what we are concentrating on. Then we get confident and all these basics are automatic, without thinking. So, our brain has more space to see what else is happening around us. 

This is when the ‘Sixth Sense’ is born. 

Here are a very few examples of what riders pick up on- 

• A driver's head may turn a little indicating a possible lane change. 
•  A cars wheel angle can mean a sudden lane change.
•  Flickering brake lights indicate slow traffic ahead.
• A slight body movement from a parked car shows a possibility of a car door opening.
•  Uneven spacing in traffic is an indication of possible cars suddenly changing lanes.
•  No eye contact with a driver means they have not seen you.
• Birds rustling in a bush or side of the road means they can dart across at any time. 

Due to pattern recognition and muscle memory, our bodies now pick up on sounds, vibration and visual motions. You won't even notice you are doing it, but your eyes and ears are automatically sensing everything around. 

The Phenomenon in a Motorcyclist’s Sixth Sense

True riders will understand that the ‘sixth sense’ is actually a thing. Other road users are completely unaware of this instinct that you have even when it happens right in front of their eyes. It may look or feel like coincidence or luck but that is far from the truth. 

If you have ever felt and experienced that ‘sixth sense’ come through and it potentially saved your life, you may not have even realised that your subconscious took over when it noticed alarm bells.

Riders are always on alert. We are exposed and vulnerable every second. Due to this alertness and overload of sensors, we gain a heightened perception of what is around us. With experience, our brain is rewired to naturally process any threats or red flags on the road. 

Science Behind the Sixth Sense

Neuroscience is backing us crazy riders up. It's not in our heads. Science has discovered that Situational Awareness (understand what is currently happening so you can anticipate and respond to potential dangers before they happen) and Neural Adaption (Brain adjusts to repeated experiences therefore processing information faster and responding more efficiently) go hand in hand to make the ‘Sixth Sense’. 

When we ride, our brain handles a lot of information such as balance, sound, speed etc. This strengthens the brains capability of reaction times and predictions. Riders are basically training their brains.

You may notice that you respond to a situation before you have even thought or processed what the situation is. When you are exposed to risky situations nearly every day, your brain is secretly taking notes. 

Just like studying for an exam or an athlete training for a run, repetition strengthens the brain as well as the body. 

The Bond Between Rider, Machine, and Road

When you get off the bike after a long ride, you aren't walking funny to amuse the neighbours, it's because the bike is a part of us. We feel every vibration and bump; we lean into every corner and feel every gear. 

The ‘Sixth Sense’ isn't only about other road users, it's also about what your bike tells you. Your bike is a part of you, and you can feel when something is iffy. The handlebars may feel different due to traction changes; riding may become unstable in crosswinds, you know your bike, so listening to its hints will give you an opportunity to change your surroundings. 

Being in the zone when riding a motorcycle is a true connection between you and your steel horse. The sixth sense is heightened during this stage as you are fully connected with the elements of you, your bike and the road.

Conclusion: Trust the Instinct, Respect the Ride

So, there it is, it's not luck or coincidence, it's the instincts you gain for being a great rider. You are a natural and now your brain wants more and it's giving its best to you. 

You have heard the saying ‘Trust your Instincts’ so go with it. 

Your ‘Sixth Sense’ is Superhuman and not many have the privilege to own it.